12 Years Running: Why Real Estate Is Still a Favorite Long-Term Investment in Sioux Falls, SD

Author Amy Stockberger | Founder, Amy Stockberger Real Estate | Creator, Lifetime Home Support™ Academy | Ranked the #1 Real Estate Team in South Dakota since 2017 and #33 in the Nation by Real Trends

 

Quick gut reaction: Which investment do Americans trust more than stocks, gold, savings accounts, CDs, and bonds?

Once again, the answer is real estate.

For 12 consecutive years, Americans have selected real estate as the best long-term investment in Gallup’s annual survey. That confidence is especially meaningful for people deciding whether to continue renting or purchase a home in Sioux Falls, SD.

Buying a home is not only about having a place to live. Over time, it may provide the opportunity to build equity, create greater stability, and invest in an asset that can become an important part of your financial future.

Why This Matters in Sioux Falls, SD

National housing headlines rarely tell the full story of what is happening locally.

While some markets across the country are seeing price declines, home values in Sioux Falls, SD have continued to show measured growth. Zillow reported that the average Sioux Falls home value was approximately $336,151 as of June 2026, representing a 1.4% increase over the previous year. Redfin also reported year-over-year price growth during the three-month period ending in May 2026.

That does not mean every property will increase in value every year or that buying is automatically the right decision for everyone. Real estate remains highly local, and results depend on factors such as:

The encouraging takeaway is that the Sioux Falls housing market has remained active. Regional data for the 12-month period ending in May 2026 showed pending sales increasing by 16.2%, signaling that buyers are still moving forward when the right homes and opportunities become available.

Why Real Estate Remains a Trusted Investment

1. Homeownership Can Help You Build Equity

Every mortgage payment may help increase your ownership stake in your home.

Equity is generally the difference between what your home is worth and what you still owe on it. As you pay down your mortgage and the property potentially appreciates, your equity may grow.

Rent payments provide a place to live, but they do not build ownership in the property. That difference is one reason many buyers view purchasing a home as part of a larger long-term financial plan.

2. Real Estate Is a Tangible Asset

Stocks and retirement accounts may be important components of a diversified financial strategy, but a home provides something those investments cannot: a place to live.

You can personalize it, improve it, create memories in it, and establish roots in a community. For many homeowners in Sioux Falls, SD, that combination of practical use and potential long-term value makes real estate especially meaningful.

3. Long-Term Ownership Can Reduce the Impact of Short-Term Market Changes

Home prices do not move upward in a perfectly straight line. Values may rise, level off, or occasionally decline based on local inventory, interest rates, economic conditions, and buyer demand.

That is why homeownership is generally better viewed as a long-term decision rather than a short-term investment strategy.

Someone who expects to move again within a year or two may need to evaluate the costs carefully. A buyer who plans to remain in the home longer may have more time to build equity and move through normal market cycles.

 

More Americans Say Buying Beats Renting

Confidence in homeownership is not limited to Gallup’s investment survey.

According to the 2026 Bank of America Homebuyer Insights Report:

It was the first time since 2023 that a majority of respondents favored purchasing a home over renting or living with family.

These numbers do not erase today’s affordability challenges. Mortgage rates, home prices, insurance, taxes, and maintenance costs still matter.

But they do show that many Americans continue to see homeownership as a worthwhile long-term goal.

Buying Versus Renting in Sioux Falls, SD

The better option depends on your finances, lifestyle, and future plans. Before buying, consider these questions.

How Long Do You Expect To Stay?

Purchasing may make more sense when you expect to remain in the home long enough to offset expenses such as closing costs, moving expenses, maintenance, and potential selling costs.

There is no universal timeline that works for every buyer. A personalized rent-versus-buy analysis can help you compare the numbers based on your specific situation.

Can You Comfortably Handle the Full Monthly Cost?

Your housing budget should include more than the mortgage payment. Buyers should also prepare for:

A home should support your financial goals, not leave you stretched every month.

Do You Have Cash Beyond the Down Payment?

Down payment assistance and lower-down-payment loan programs may be available, but buyers still need to prepare for closing costs, inspections, moving expenses, and homeownership reserves.

Keeping an emergency fund after closing can help prevent an unexpected repair from becoming a financial crisis.

Are You Buying for the Right Reasons?

Buying because of pressure, fear of missing out, or a belief that prices can never decline is rarely a strong strategy.

Buying because the payment is manageable, the property meets your needs, and you plan to remain there long enough to benefit from ownership creates a much stronger foundation.

It Is About More Than Money

A home can potentially build wealth, but its value is not limited to a spreadsheet.

Homeownership can give you the freedom to:

That emotional value is one reason homeownership remains such a powerful goal. A home is one of the few investments you can use every day while potentially building equity over time.

How Amy Stockberger Real Estate Can Help

Buying a home should not leave you wondering who to call or what happens after closing.

Amy Stockberger Real Estate provides guidance before, during, and long after the transaction through Lifetime Home Support™.

Our clients receive continued access to resources designed to make homeownership easier, including:

Our relationship with you does not end when the keys are handed over. We continue helping you navigate the responsibilities, expenses, and opportunities that come with owning a home.

Explore Lifetime Home Support™

Meet Our Sioux Falls Home Support Team Partners

Local Resources To Explore

Use these resources to research homeownership and prepare for your next move:

Ready To Take the Next Step?

Real estate has remained Americans’ top long-term investment choice for 12 consecutive years, but that does not mean you should purchase just any home at any price.

The right decision begins with understanding your budget, timeline, available programs, and the current market in Sioux Falls, SD.

Whether you are purchasing your first home, comparing buying with renting, or simply trying to understand what is possible, the Amy Stockberger Real Estate team can help you build a clear strategy without pressure.

Our team is here to serve—before, during, and forever.

 

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